Cabinet



Aug. 27, 1940. H. s. CARLSON CABINET Filed Oct. 30, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR l Zng S. Carlsoh/ M JI TORNEY Au 27, 1940. H. s. CARLSQN CABINET Filed Oct. 30. 1937' 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 3: QET.

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CABINET Filed Oct. 30,.1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR F515 v 3 1 Henry 5.8671507L Au-181L441- 61 \4 A TORNEY Patented Aug. 27, 1940' Qumran STATES? CABINET .7 Henry s. Carlson, West orange,-i- -.J;; assignor' to- Thomas A. Edison, Incorporated, "WestOrange,

N; J., aicorporation of New Jerseyi J Application October 30, lssnse iaino. 171,819

h e H 7 Claims. (Thisinvention relates to improvements in cabinets. Although no unnecessary limitation thereto is intended, the invention has particular utility, and.is illustrated and-described, in connec- T tion with cabinets for. such instruments as phonographs of the commercial type. v

Itis. highly desirable that phonograph cabinets have a pleasing appearance, and particularly in commercial 'phonogr-aphs, it is very important that the cabinet be so designed as to make the phonograph conveniently operable.

It is an object of my invention to provide such improvements in cabinets for commercial phonographs as .will operation of the phonograph.

ItiSu another object to provide a pivotalsupport for the phonograph so that the phonograph may swing downwardly upon the closing of V the cover and-thereby permit the overall height of the 2 cabinet to be reduced; i

*It is another object to provide, cabinetof reduced overall height, means operated by; the cover for making the phonograph convenientlyeaccessible-as the cover is moved to its open It is another object to provide general im:- provements in; cabinets for commercial phonographs so thatthe cabinet may be designed with a a more pleasingappearancea ;,Other andallied objects will morefully appear claims. Y a h -.,In-the description of my invention reference is hadto the accompanying drawings, of which:

'ofwalphonograph' cabinet showing the cover in cIosedposition and showing inside elevation a" phonograph and support mechanism therefor as provided within the-cabinet. 4Q,;, Figure 2iis aview generally similar to Figure 1, showing-the. cover of the cabinet in open posi tion and the, phonograph in an upper or operativetposition; i W

Figure 4 is a: fractional, horizontal view, partly lnusection, showing the lower main portion of the phonograph when.

phonograph cabinet, and of the inoperative position; and

liigure 5 is a detailed view of a phonograph-support mechanism.

' 5m {Reference being 'hadto'thefig-ures, there wiIL permit greater convenience in the V 1- is a partial, vertical, sectional view portion o1 the I be. seen cabinet A comprising aymain portion or lower vcompartment I andfan upper compart-, ment :2; the two compartments being separated the pivotingl axisdl- The plate it carries on its upper side parts of a phonographB which com prises principally a rotatably -mounted mandrel 5 carrying a record 6, acarriage l which supports a translating device S end a speaking tube..9,. which is coupled to. theitranslating device 8.' The carriage Iris slidably mounted so as to be moved longitudinally of the record; 6 as the mandrel 5. rotates; Rotation of -themandrel 5 is usuallyv effected by meansuof aneleotric motor m'echani cally connected thereto through an electrically operated-clutch, the motor and clutch beingnotshown 'QI1 the far end of the speaking tube 9 iscarrieda handpiece It on which ismounteda operation of the-aforementioned clutch, orany in a phonograph other mechanical actionias may be-desired. The motor receives; its electric power by .way of the leads comprising the cable [-2. Thiscable con nects theafemale plug l3 to the male plug M, the former ser-ving to make connection to a source of: electrical .power andvthe latter 1:01 the motor. A pushbutton 'type of switch I 5; connected in onev of theleads of cablelZ, is provided for breaking theici-rcuit.which'connects the power supply to themotor; This switch is mounted on a bracket l6 and-is adapted tobe. operated. to; a circuit breaking position whenever thehandpiece lil isl placed in its-holder 1-1 (see Figure-3) by-the en gagement of-the end portionlfl. ofthe handpiece In with the button l5 of the switch i5. Thus, by-placingathe handpiece 10- in its holder-ll, as during periods of non-use. the motor circuit. is automatically broken to'stopthe rotation of the motor w i i Atthe front of the cabinetthere is customarily provided'a-door l8 havinga knob or-handle l8 which swings forwardlyabout the pivot 19. to expose the interior of theloWer compartment,.=or mainportion l. -A1ong the. inside of the door It there isacommonly provided a container 20 for documents, -folders, &c. Secured to the lower. inner side of the container 20, as by the-screws 2I ,:is' a--rack 22 for holding recordcartons such as;23.-;Upon openingthe door- 3 the container 2!! and the 'cart0ns 23 become readily accessible.

At thetopof the cabinet A there is provided a cover. 24-;whichswings upwardly about thepivot 24 to expose thezinterior of the upper compartment 2; this upward swinging movement of the cover being to any'convenient position such, for

by a plate 31-pivotally securedto the cabinet about 7 engages with stops 64 and 65 which may very holding' letters, documents, etc.

cessible. From such open position the cover 24 may swing downwardly until it abuts against a stop 25 to completely enclose the upper compart ment 2. The stop 25 for the cover may very suitably be the upper edges of the side walls of the lower compartment I. 'When the cover 24 rests in its closed position its side walls preferably form an upward extension of the respective side walls of the main portion I. On the inside of the cover 24 there may be appropriately connected, as by the pivot 62, a plate 63 which swings upwardly into-the top portion of the cover. as

thecover isclosed by reason of the engagement of the plate 63 withthe top portion of the bracket 16. Upon opening the cover 24, the plate 63 swings downwardly about its pivot 62,until it suitably comprise brackets secured to the respective wide walls of the cover 24. When the plate 63 is in its lower position it provides with the cover 24 a compartment 66 which is suitable for In order to reduce the overall height of the cabinetA, and thereby improve its general appearance, it is very desirable to use a shallow or low cover. 'In this case the phonograph B mounted on the plate 3 will extend into the path of the cover 24', and therefore it is necessary that the phonograph B be movable downwardly to permit the cover to close. The phonograph is inoperative when it is in its downward position and must etherefore be restored to its upward position in order to be used again. However, I' greatly facilitate the useof the phonograph by moving it'downwardly and upwardly with the respective downward and, upward movements of f the cover.v For doing this there is provided a supporting mechanism for the phonographB which is operated by the cover. 24 to remove the, phonograph B from the path of the cover 24 as the cover is moved downwardly to its closed position, and for restoring the phonograph to its op erative position as the cover 24 is moved upwardly to its open position. It is with such means that my invention is primarily concerned, wherefore the supporting mechanism is hereinafter described in detail.

For illustrating my invention the p1ate3 on which is mounted the phonograph B has been shown as being swingingly movable about a pi v oting axis 4 that is substantially in alignment with the pivot 24' of the cover 24. It'is to be understood, however, that the pivot for the phonograph support mechanism need not necessarily be in such substantial alignment with the cover" pivot, as myinvention contemplates, in its broader aspects, any downward swingingmovement of the phonograph B as the cover 24 is moved downwardly to a closed position, or any converse upward swinging movementof the phonograph to an operative position as the cover is moved up-' wardly to its open position. The pivotal mounting for the phonograph is particularly desirable in that it permits a simple lockingarrangement operable by the cover for'holcling the phonograph in its operativeposition; moreover, such pivotal mounting permits the use of simple mechanical means, connected between the cover 24 and the plate 3,- for moving the phonograph downwardly and upwardly with the respective downward and upward movements of the cover 24.

The plate 3 which carries the phonograph B may very suitably be a casting having a reeniorcing rib 3' extending along each side of the plate'and downwardly from the bottom thereof. 7

The rib 3 is disposed at short distance in from theedges of the plate 3, and very conveniently serves as a means for attaching the plate 3 to the framework of the supporting mechanism. On the top forward side of the plate 3 there is 1 provided a groove 3 which serves to hold the intermediate portion of the speaking tube 9 in a suitable position when the handpiece [0 is placed in its holder [1. p

The supporting mechanism for the phonograph comprises a pair of linkage systems, one of which is disposed along each side of the cabinet] In numbering the components of these systems I use even numbers on the left hand side and odd num-I',

bers on the right. In these linkagesystems there" are, extending the full length of eaclrsio'leof the plate 3, the supportin g'members 26"a n"d 21 which are respectively pivotally connected to a pairof studs-i28 land 29 to form the pivoting axis These studs28 and 29 are carriedby the respec tive brackets 36 and'3l which are secured to the upper portion of therearwall of compartment 1,

on oppositesides thereof, by suitablemeans-such as by rivets or by welding. The members 26 and 27' extend along the side portions of the freiriforcing rib 3' and underneath th'e' si ag sgqr the plate 3, thereby supportingthe plate nep enog'raph'B For holding the plate in proper mechanical relation to the supporting members 26 i and 21 there are provided a'lpair -o-f pins 32 33, one on each side of the plate3, whichre-'* spectively register with the notches 26'fand 2 of the respective members 26 and 21'. arrangement it is obvious that the plate -3 is; gravitationally held against the supporting meni bers 26 and 21, and may therefore be liftedjupwardly from'its supporting ir amewo'rkfto make readily accessible, for servicing 'orf repair, any

parts or mechanism located underneath the plates;

Pivotally connected to the respective members 26 and 21, as by pivots 34' and 35", are-link v .60 members 34 and'35. These members arerespec tively pivotally connected at their lower ends "to a pair of levers 36 and 31, this connection bein g made'by suitable pivots suchas by the pivotfl'l 7 for connecting'3-5 to 31; The levers 36 and 3'! are hinged to the respective brackets 38 and 39 which are secured to the rear wall of compart ment I, as by'rivets or bywelding lit a short" distance from the ends of the"lever's' 36 and 31' there are respectively providedpins, such as pin 4| for the lever 31, which pins respectivelyeni'} gage with longitudinal slots'provided in la'pairj-f of actuating links 42 and 43, such as fth'e'slot"4l' in the link 43. These actuating links '42 and are respectively hinged-to" thecover'24, about the studs 44 and 45,1to couple the cover withthe supporting mechanism of'the phonographi By this means the plate 3, supportedbyfthe me'mbers 26 and'Z'I, will swing downwardly within the lower compartment has the "coveris'-moved downwardly, and conversely itswing up; wardly as the cover is movedupwardly. Q The l'o cation of the pivots and the length of the various members comprising the linkage 'system'are ad i justlEd-{SQ that the plate 3 will restin a horizontal tionof compartment I, andsubstantially direct 1y underneath the respective bent portions 26" and 21" are the respective levers46 and 41 which pivots-bout the respectivestuds 48 and 49, these studs being carried by the respective brackets 48 and 49'. These brackets are rigidly secured to the respective side walls of'compartment j|, as by rivets orby welding. The levers46 and 41 have a respective upperencl portions 46 and 41' which are bent inwardlyat right angles, which portions 46" and" 41 are adapted to engage the underside of the respective portions 26" and 21" to lock the supporting members 26 and 21 in their horizontal positions. The levers 46 and 41 are spring biased in a counter-clockwise direction, as by thspring-El for themember 41, and are positioned so as to be respectively engaged by the lower'end portions42' and 43 of the actuating links 42 and 43, which portions 42 and 43' are bent outwardly at right angles as shown. By such engagementthe cover 24 is yieldably held in its open position (as shown in Figure 2) in which case the pins 40 and 4| contact the lower end portions of the respective slots 40' and 4|. As the -cover is moved downwardly from such open position, the actuating links 42 and 43 may move downwardly through the length of the respective slots 40 and 4| without moving the supporting members 26 and 21 downwardly; however, the end portions 42' and 43" of the actuating links 42 and 43 engage the respective levers 4S and 41 to move them in a clockwise direction, and thereby move their respective end portions 46' and 4'! 45 out from under the end portions 26" and 2'!" to permit the supporting members to move downwardly with the downward movement of the cover. The weight of'the phonograph will tend to move the supporting mechanism and cover 450 downwardly with considerable force, and for counteracting this effect heavy springs 52 and 53 are disposed between the respective pins 40 and 4| and the lugs 54 and 55 suitably located on the rear wall of compartment In the upward movement of the cover the pins 40 and 4| respec tively register with the lower end portions of the slots 40' and 4|" to move the supporting members 26 and 21 upwardly about their respective pivots. 0 ing members 26 and 21 their forward bent portions 26" and 21' move up in front of the bent portions 46 and 41' and contact therewith. By reason of the angular position of the portions 26" and 21" further upward swinging movement of the members 26 and 21 cause the lever arms 46 and 4'! to be moved in a clockwise direction. After the portions 26" and 21" have moved above the portions 46' and 41 the levers 46 and 41 snap back in a counterclockwise direction, as by reason 70 of the spring 5| for the lever 41, tolock the supporting members 26 and 21 in their horizontal position and to resiliently hold the cover 24 in it open position.

The actuating links 42 and 43 may be discon- 75 nected from the cover 24 to permit the cover to from the stud 45.

In the upward movement of the supportbe swung upwardly to. any desiredposition so that the phonograph may be liitedirom its supporting mechanism, as for servicing or. repairs. The detachable coupling of the actuating link 43 to the cover may,for example, be suitably effected by the means illustrated in Figure 2a,, it being understood that the actuating link 42 on the lefthand side is similarly coupled to the cover. A bracket 51 secured to the cover, as by rivets or by welding, carries the stud :45 which may be 105 suitably held as by a pressed-fit. The link 43 pivots about the stud and is removably held, thereon by means of a locking member 59 pivotal' ly secured tothe link 43, as by pivot 59, and having a notch which engagesan annular groove 45' 2 provided near the end of the stud 45. The looking member 59 extends beyond the link 43 so that it may be manually disengaged from the groove 45' to permit the link 43 to be removed To facilitate the accessibilityof the parts carried under the plate 3 there is provided means whereby the plate 3 may be swung upwardly from its supporting members 26and 21 about the-pivoting axis 4. Such means comprise the arms 60 and 6|, one of whichiss'ecured to each side of the plate 3 as by the screws 60' and 6|, respectively; These arms extend rearwardly 'ofthe plate 3 and have near their backward ends on the bottom sides thereof the respective notches 66" and BI" which are adapted to engage-the respective studs 28 and 29. I

I have disclosed my invention herein in terms of a specific embodiment, but it is to be under-' stood that this embodiment is merely illustrative of my invention and not limitative thereof. My invention'may be modified and may be embodied in other forms, which will not necessarily constitute a departure from the true scope thereof, and which I now undertake to express according to the following claims.

I claim:

1. In a cabinet having upper and lower compartments and a cover for said upper compartment pivoted to move upwardly to an open position and downwardly to a closed position: a pivotally mounted plate separating said compartments and adapted to carry .an instrument; means, connecting said cover to said plate, for swinging said plate upwardly as said cover moves through the greater portion of its upward travel and for causing said plate to be swung downwardly as said cover moves through the greater portion of its downward travel; and means operated incidental to the act of moving said cover 5 through the last portion of its upward travel for locking said plate against downward movement, and through the first portion of its downward travel for unlocking said plate.

2. In a cabinet having a compartment for an an instrument: a cover pivoted to move upwardly to an open position; a downwardly movable plate defining the bottom of said compartment and adapted to be locked in an upper position; means operated as an incident of moving said cover 5 through the last portion of its upward travel and through the initial portion of its downward travel for respectively locking and unlocking said plate; and means for yieldably holding said cover in said upper position while said plate is 7 locked.

3. Ina cabinet having a compartment for an instrument: a cover for said compartment pivoted to move from an open position toa downward position to close the same; a plate defining the bottom of said compartment andswingingly movable downwardly; means for locking said plate against said downward movement; and

means operated incidental to a downward move ment of said cover through the first portion of its travel to render said locking means ineffective, and through the remaining portion of its travel to cause said plate to be swung downwardly.

4. In a cabinet having a main portion and a cover pivoted to move upwardly and downwardly: a support disposed near the top of said main portion and pivoted thereto; means, connected between said support and said cover, for causing said support to be moved downwardly and upwardly with the respective downward and upward movements of said cover; means movable under said support .to lock the support against down ward movement; means for moving said locking means into locking position as said cover is moved through the end portion of its upward travel; and means, operated by said cover, for moving saidlocking means out of locking position as said cover is moved downwardly.

5. In a cabinet having a compartment for an instrument: a cover for opening and closing said compartment; a pivotally 'mounted support adapted to carry an instrument in said compartment; means, coupling said support with said cover, for causing said support to be moved upwardly and downwardly with the opening and closing of said cover; means for locking said support against downward movement; andresilient; means, rendered effective; upon .opening said cover, for rendering said locking means opera tive and for yieldably holding said cover in open position. I y w 6. In a cabinet having a compartment-for an instrument: a pivotally mounted cover for said. compartment; a movable support adapted to carry an instrument in said compartment; means; for causing said-supportto be'raisedand lowered as said cover is opened and closed; means, for locking said support against; downward moves; ment, rendered operative and :inoperative in,-' cidental to the opening and closing of 'saidcover; and means rendered effectiveas an incident toopening saidcover, fonyieldably holding said cover open. 2 I

'7. In a cabinet having a compartmentior an instrument: a cover for opening and closing said compartment; a" movable support adapted to care; ry an instrument in said .compartment;. means for causing said support to be raisedandlowered.

HENRY s. 

